Business unit: Policy and Advocacy

Location: Sydney, NSW

Reports to: Director, Policy and Advocacy

Status: Fixed Term / Full Time (35 hours / week)

Level: Level 6 SCHADS Award

Delegation NIL

Direct reports: NIL

Position • Tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, or a related human services
requirements field.

- Extensive experience in child protection or statutory child welfare practice.
- Demonstrated expertise in assessment frameworks, decision-making tools,

and risk identification in child protection.

- Demonstrated skills in project management, stakeholder engagement and

policy development

- Sound knowledge of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection)

Act 1998 (NSW) and related legal and policy frameworks.
• This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

authorised under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977

About AbSec

Our vision is that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are looked after in
safe, thriving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, raised strong in spirit and
identity, with every opportunity for lifelong wellbeing and connection to culture, and surrounded by
holistic supports. In working towards this vision, we are guided by these principles:

- Acknowledging and respecting the diversity and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

communities.

- Acting with professionalism and integrity in striving for quality, culturally responsive services and

supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

- Underpinning the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to develop our own

processes and systems for our communities, particularly in meeting the needs of our children,
young people, families and carers.

- Being holistic, integrated and solutions-focused through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

control in delivering outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people,
families and communities.

- Committing to a future that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and

communities, representing our communities, and the agencies there to serve them, with
transparency and drive.

Position purpose

The Child Protection Practice Specialist provides high-level expertise, advice and leadership in child
protection practice, with a particular focus on contributing to the reform and improvement of the Child
Protection Assessment Project (CPAP) and establishing a governance structure to monitor
implementation.

The role supports the development of a new approach to investigation, assessment and decision
making by working collaboratively with stakeholders across DCJ, Aboriginal Community Controlled
Organisations (ACCOs), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, sector partners and
academic experts to ensure reforms are practical, effective and aligned with best practice in child
safety and wellbeing.

Function Accountabilities

Strategic Provide expert advice and high-level input into the design, review and reform of




the Child Protection Assessment Project (CPAP) to ensure it reflects evidence-
informed and culturally protected practice.

- Build strong collaborative relationships with DCJ, ALS, ACCOs, sector partners,

academic experts and community members with lived and living experience to
influence and shape child protection reform initiatives.

- Contribute to the strategic positioning of AbSec as a leader in culturally

responsive child protection practice and policy development.
- Develop an approach to support the continued implementation of supported

Family is Culture (FIC) recommendations

Operational Undertake research, practice reviews and policy development and analysis to
inform the development of related reforms.

- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure reform initiatives

are culturally responsive, operationally viable, and practically applicable for
practitioners.

- Lead and participate in working groups, consultations and co-design initiatives

to ensure practitioner voice and lived experience are embedded in framework
development.

- Develop policy and practice guidance based on stakeholder feedback
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and deliver practical practice

guidance, implementation tools and training materials to support the effective
and consistent implementation of the reform.

- Monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation and impact of assessment

reforms, identifying risks, gaps and opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to map and prioritise supported FIC

recommendations and drive their integration into policy and practice to support
effective implementation.

- Establish and strengthen governance mechanisms through the Closing the Gap

governance framework to oversee key reform decisions, ensure clear
accountability and support effective oversight of implementation.

- Coordinate and facilitate meetings with partner agencies, including chairing

discussions, preparing agendas and recording and distributing accurate
meeting minutes.

Organisational Actively contribute to a positive, collaborative and culturally strong
contribution organisational culture at AbSec.

- Share specialist knowledge and build capability within AbSec and partner

organisations to strengthen child protection practice across the sector.
- Represent AbSec in relevant forums and meetings, promoting the organisation’s

values and commitment to Aboriginal child safety and wellbeing. Uphold and
model cultural safety, respect, and accountability in all aspects of work.

- Consistently acts in accordance with AbSec’s values, challenges practices

inconsistent with these values and uses values as a basis managing
relationships and decision-making.

- Comply with AbSec Policies and Procedures.




- Participate in organisational and professional development activities as

directed.

Key Chief Executive Officer, Directors and other managers
relationships All staff to ensure robust input into activities. Stakeholders, including members, government agencies and media.

Selection Criteria

The occupant of this position will be able to demonstrate the following criteria: Tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology or a related human services field, with extensive

experience in child protection or statutory child welfare practice.

- Demonstrated expertise in applying and/or developing assessment frameworks, decision-making

tools and approaches to risk identification in child protection.

- Sound knowledge of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) and

related legal, policy and practice frameworks.

- Proven experience working with Aboriginal children, families and communities in a culturally safe

and respectful manner.

- Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to undertake policy analysis, practice reviews

and translate findings into practical tools and guidance.

- Excellent communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work

collaboratively across government, community-controlled organisations, and academic partners.

- Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops and meetings, including chairing discussions,

preparing agendas and recording and distributing accurate meeting minutes.

- Demonstrated ability to contribute to reform and practice improvement initiatives, including co-

design processes that incorporate practitioner voice and lived and living experience.

- Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to plan, coordinate and deliver

project outcomes and key deliverables within agreed timeframes.

- Commitment to the values, vision and objectives of AbSec, including advancing the rights of

Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.

- Excellent administration, organisation, and time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to

plan and manage work priorities and complete concurrent tasks and projects to a high standard
within strict deadlines.

The following are desirable: Aboriginality and/or understanding of the importance of cultural connections for Aboriginal

children, young people, families, and communities.

- An understanding of the Family is Culture report.

Practical Requirements

- Work outside of the normal hours of duty and some business travel may be required.

• Employment will be subject to a National Police Clearance and a NSW Working With Children

Check.

- This position has been classified under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services

Industry Award 2010. Salary is subject to negotiation, skills, and experience.

- Appointment to this position of a person not currently an employee of AbSec will be subject to a

probationary period of 6 months.

- This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People authorised under

Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977

📌 The Child Protection Practice Specialist (Sydney)
🏢 NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal
📍 Sydney